Planning & Parks Committee delays demolition decision for Merrycliff residence; directs staff to pursue preservation leads and approves budget moves for Village

The Planning and Parks Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, voted to give the city’s planning staff additional time to pursue partnerships and private support aimed at preserving the Merrycliff residence at the Marianist Retreat Center in Ward 6, while approving several administrative items including bids and budget adjustments for park improvements.

The committee’s action came after more than an hour of testimony from city planning officials, members of the council and residents about the condition of the large, historic retreat residence and the options offered by the property owner, the Marianist order. Director Joe Rudich told the committee the owner has requested a decision on a demolition permit and has proposed either relocating the structure or selling the property, options the city finds “not very feasible.” Rudich said the local Historic Preservation Commission recommended against issuance of a demolition permit and described the city’s authority under local code as limited and largely voluntary.

Why it matters: The building is listed by outside preservation groups as endangered and has attracted interest from local preservationists and at least one nationally known architect. Committee members said losing the structure would be permanent, and several urged an aggressive final effort to identify a buyer or partners who could stabilize or restore the building before the owner moves forward with demolition.

Committee direction and debate

Council Member Mabry moved that the city department aggressively explore a public–private partnership and other preservation leads and report back to the council meeting in March; the motion asked staff to begin immediately and provide a status report if tangible progress…